Accounting Students Showcase Skills for Prospective Employers

From left: Lecturer, Ms Navitha Sewpersadh, award
recipient Ms Sheetal Paparam and Ernest and
Young’s Human Resource Manager, Mr Jeremy
Beukes.

The School of Accounting Economics and Finance at the Pietermaritzburg campus, in partnership with accounting firm Ernst and Young recognised top achievers at the Accounting 300 awards ceremony held at the prestigious Victoria Country Club recently.

The event rewards the achievements of top students and also gives them a platform to showcase their skills to Ernest and Young in the hope of future employment.  In the presentations, students were required to research and analyse financial statements of a top 100 listed company on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. 

Culminating the accounting knowledge acquired throughout their years of studying in the BCOM Accounting degree, student teams, competing against each other, had to creatively translate theory into practical scenarios.  

Accounts 300 Lecturer, Navitha Sewpersadh, said that through understanding the importance of providing relevant, accurate and complete information in meeting the entity’s reporting requirements, the students would be better prepared to enter the workplace.

‘By requiring a high degree of contextualisation it is recognised that competence in the field of accounting is grounded in the real world and that teaching, learning and assessments are most effectively executed through application in real world scenarios.’ Sewpersadh added. 

‘Students need to gain a thorough knowledge of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and their application as well as a thorough understanding of when and how to apply the standards. It is of the utmost importance that the students have the fundamental competencies which foster life-long learning,’ said Sewpersadh.

The Breakthrough Limited group won after impressing the judges with their presentation on Sasol Limited and walked away with the first prize of R5 000.  Second placed winner of R4 000, the Angry Nerds group, analysed milling company Tongaat Hullet, while the third placed winner of R3 000, the Alpha group examined the financial aspects of Sasol Limited. 

The Best Group Financial Report award of R3 000 went to Abacus Consultants for their detailed analysis on the SPAR Group; the Best Tutor award cash prizes was won by Ms Sheetal Paparam and Mr Farai Mazimbe, and the award of a new Apple Ipad for the Best Presenter went to Ms Michelle Chidzamba of the Angry Nerds.